Anita Holdeman

Anita Iris Jantz Holdeman

Wrens, GA  –              After losing a courageously-fought battle with cancer, Anita Iris Jantz Holdeman, 71, loving wife of 46 years to Milferd Ralph Holdeman, peacefully passed to Glory at her home Wednesday morning, September 23, 2020.  Funeral services will be held at Pinecrest Mennonite Church at 10:30 A.M. Sunday morning, September 27, 2020.

Because of the current ordinances regarding COVID-19 and the family’s respect and concern for public health and safety, the family will receive friends in an extended visitation from 4:00 – 9:00 P.M. Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Pinecrest Mennonite Church.  Please follow social distancing mandates.  The wearing of face masks is strongly encouraged.

The oldest of ten children born to the late Glenn Robert and Eva Merle Amoth Jantz, she spent her childhood years in the beautiful Kootenai Valley of North Idaho. At the age of eleven, she answered God’s call to serve Him and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite by her uncle, Minister Eddie Justus. She remained faithful to those vows. At age eighteen, her daddy was tragically taken in a construction accident and then her brother Duane joined him in Heaven. Anita helped support the family by working as a librarian in the high school library and at the public library, as well as working as an admissions clerk and switch board operator in the local hospital. A highlight of her youth was six weeks spent teaching Bible School in Arizona. Having an adventurous spirit, she flew across the country to Georgia in 1972, taking a teaching position in one of the first church schools. It was here that she met the man of her dreams, marrying in 1974. Their home was blessed with five children.  Family time was very important to her and spent many hours planning interesting vacations. She took every opportunity to teach her children the value of respect and responsibility. Anita enjoyed substituting at school and spent many years teaching Home EC—cooking, sewing and etiquette lessons. For many years, she was an American Greetings Merchandiser.  She also liked to spend time in the yard and had flowers blooming year-round. She loved to cook, try new dishes, set a pretty table and entertain company. An avid reader, she loved to read to her children and later to the grandchildren. To her, each grandchild was special, and she was eagerly looking forward to welcome two more.

Anita loved to go to church and taught Sunday School for many years. Her Savior was dear to her. When in the hospital last summer, she had a beautiful vision of her crossing.  This was a treasured experience that helped sustain her in her illness, as well was a comfort to her family.

Anita is also preceded in death by a nephew, four brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law.

Others left to cherish fond memories include her children, Janna and Duane Wenger of Newton KS, Jonita and David Miller of El Campo TX, Ryan and Cheryl Holdeman of Wrens, Ricky and Kendra Holdeman of Stapleton, and Darla and Kelwin Hibner of Stapleton; eleven grandchildren; three step grandchildren; five sisters, Glenda and Rodney Harms of Baker City OR, Twyla and Glen Ensz of Bonners Ferry ID, Melva and Rodney Giesbrecht of Davisboro, Gloria and Dan Holdeman of Bonners Ferry ID, and Geneva and Delton Koehn of Bonners Ferry ID; three brothers, Lynn and Leah Jantz of Porthill ID, Tim and Tina Jantz of Bonners Ferry ID, Merrill and Starlyn Jantz of Bonners Ferry ID; brothers-in-law, Duane and Francis Holdeman of Moundridge KS, Howard and Pauline Holdeman of Clarksdale MS, Dale and Twila Holdeman of Wrens, and Lloyd and Luanne Holdeman of Wrens; sisters-in-law, Karen Holdeman of Lobelville TN, Wanda Peters of Louisville, and Letha Peters of Louisville; three uncles and one aunt, Marion Jantz of Nevada MO, Emily and Harry Nachtigal of Hutchinson KS and Noman Towes of Montezuma KS; many nephews, nieces, cousins, other extended family, church family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to Pinecrest Memorial Gardens, c/o Ricky Holdeman, 5055 GA Hwy 296, Stapleton, GA 30823.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the kindnesses evidenced in thought, deed and prayer, especially at this time of sorrow in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.